Fast Food

The name McDonald's is almost synonymous with fast food and indeed the Oak Brook, Illinois-based giant is the world's largest fast food chain with restaurants in 120 countries and an estimated 54 million daily customers.

In fact McDonald's established the fast food restaurant system as we know it today. The original restaurant was setup by the two McDonalds brothers in 1940. Eight years later they started their "Speedee Service System" the forerunner of today's fast-food outlet. In this system, the food-preparation area functioned more like a factory assembly line than a traditional restaurant. However it was the purchase of the McDonald's equity by franchisee Ray Kroc that was to lead to the company's global expansion.

One factor in McDonald's success has been the focus on children. In 1979, they introduced the Happy meal for kids. This includes a hamburger, cheeseburger, or four-piece order of Chicken McNuggets, a side order of small fries or pre-cut apples, and a child-size soft drink, milk, chocolate milk or apple juice. Then there's the clown mascot Ronald McDonald. Also, some branches feature large indoor or outdoor playgrounds.

McDonald's has recently jumped on the quality coffee bandwagon with the introduction of McCafés. These are an addition to the existing restaurants and serve premium range of coffees and similar drinks in a comfy seating environment with sofas and wireless internet.